Facilities
Blueberry Research Plot
Established in Summer 2023 thanks to funding from the USDA Office of Technology Transfer, we installed a 6,000+ sq ft blueberry field onsite, home to 162 Farthing highbush blueberry plants.
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The research plot is used to test and develop new technology. It was designed to replicate commercial blueberry farms in the Southeast US.
Alexia working in the blueberry field, November 2023
Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS)
The Chemistry Research Unit is home to three LC-MSs:​
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A triple quadrupole LC-MS, ideal for targeted analysis of trace chemicals in complex mixtures
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Two high resolution Orbitrap instruments, ideal for analysis and identification of unknown chemicals:
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Q Exactive with automated fraction collector
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Orbitrap IQ-X, part of a new line of "tribrid" instruments
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Other Instrumentation
The Chemistry Research Unit benefits from an amazing collection of other advanced analytical chemistry equipment, including:
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Eight gas chromatograph-mass spectrometers (GC-MS)
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Two gas chromatograph-electroantennographic detectors (GC-EAD), which use insect antenna to screen aroma blends for active chemicals
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A gas chromatograph flame ionizable detector (GC-FID)
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Three liquid chromatographs with tandem diode array and refractive index detectors (LC-DAD/RID)
Other Facilities at the Chemistry Research Unit
Climate-controlled Greenhouse
A six chamber, ca. 7,000 sq ft, climate-controlled greenhouse and several growth chambers are expertly maintained by our greenhouse manager, Bevin Forguson
Bevin, greenhouse manager
Apiary
We have an apiary onsite, home to 20+ honey bee hives, all maintained by bee-whisperer, Bryan Smith
Apiary, Summer 2024